USSTC has worked hard to build a special relationship with the farmers who supply us tobacco. One hundred percent of the tobacco we purchase for our moist smokeless tobacco products is grown in the U.S.
Through our direct contracting program known as the Tobacco Leaders Program, we encourage consistent high quality, innovation, efficiency and open communications between the company and its growers.
USSTC works side by side with tobacco growers to:
- promote the production of high-quality tobacco using responsible environmental and labor management practices
- encourage innovation on the farm for greater efficiency and improved quality
- understand the challenges growers face and advance solutions that make sense both for growers and our business
- University research. We actively support programs to advance U.S. tobacco production by working collaboratively with agricultural experts at land-grant universities and independent farmers. By doing so we share insights and help growers manage risk and improve quality production. We are proud of our broad support of research at land-grant universities over the last 15 years.
- Grower development. A new USSTC program called Taking Root invests in developing leaders and innovators among the next generation of growers. To strengthen our supply base, a select group of next-generation growers participates in leadership development programs, receives grants to support innovation in their farming operation and learns more about our business.
- Scholarships. We recognize the importance of growers to our business through our grower recognition program and educational scholarships. These scholarships have benefited more than 350 families, helping preserve the American tradition of the family farm.
We listen to growers and help them be more productive. One example is buying our dark tobaccos in flake form to reduce labor costs. We are proud of our contributions to the tobacco economy in Kentucky and Tennessee and the role we play in helping keep the farm economy strong.
